Brussels, 10 August 2023
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €350 million German scheme to support the rollout of high-power charging (‘HPC’) infrastructure for electric vehicles along the German motorways. The scheme envisages the deployment of 952 HPC points in around 200 motorway locations.
Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants for the installation of each HPC point, as well as for the operation of the HPC infrastructure. The scheme will be open to all companies active in the construction and operation of recharging infrastructure. The projects will be selected through an open, competitive and non-discriminatory bidding process.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) TFEU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the 2022 Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy(‘CEEAG’). The Commission found that the German scheme is necessary and appropriate to allow for the deployment of HPC infrastructure at a large scale, thereby contributing to the EU’s strategic objectives related to the green transition, notably the objectives of the European Green Deal and the ‘Fit for 55′ package. In addition, the Commission found that the aid will have an ‘incentive effect’, as the beneficiaries would not carry out the relevant investments in the absence of public support. Finally, the Commission concluded that the scheme is proportionate, as the aid will be limited to the minimum necessary and will not have undue negative effects on competition and trade in the EU. In particular, the German authorities will ensure that the prices for recharging electric vehicles at the newly deployed HPC points are in line with those of comparable existing infrastructure. On this basis, the Commission approved the German scheme under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.105414 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website, once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
Source – EU Commission